August 24, 2008

"A Living Sacrifice To God"

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will accept.  When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleaseing and perfect his will really is. 

As God's messenger, I give each of you this warning:  Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.  Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do.  And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.

God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.  So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you.  If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well.  If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching.  If your gift is to encourage others, do it!  If you have money, share it generously.  If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.  And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.  

Don't just pretend that you love others.  Really love them.  Hate what is wrong.  Stand on the side of good.  Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Be glad for all God is planning for you.  Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.  When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out.  And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.  

If people persecute because you are a Christian, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.  When others are happy, be happy with them.  If they are sad, share their sorrow.  Live in harmony with each other.  Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people.  And don't think you know it all!

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone.  Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.  Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.

Dear friends, never avenge yourselves.  Leave that to God.  For it is written,

"I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it." says the Lord.

Instead, do what the Scriptures say:

"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.  If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you."

Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Romans 12:1-21 

NLT

***

Psalm 112

NLT

Praise the LORD!

Happy are those who fear the LORD.

Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands.

Thier children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.

They themselves will be wealthy, and their good deeds will never be forgotten.

When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in. 

     They are generous, compassionsate, and righteous.

All goes well for those who are generous, who lend freely and conduct their business fairly.

Such people will not be overcome by evil circumstances.

     Those who are righteous will be long remembered.

They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.

They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. 

They give generously to those in need.

     Their good deeds will never be forgotten. 

     They will have influence and honor.

The wicked will be infuriated when they see this.

     They will grind their teeth in anger; they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

***

Let Us Pray

Dear Heavenly Father God, we/I just praise you and thank you that you have made us/me and love us/me and care for and about us/me.  We/I ask you to please help us/me to be bathed in this knowledge, so that our/my confidence will be in you.  Let us/me receive the fullness of all that you have to give us/me by the power of your Holy Spirit, so that we/I might indeed go forth in your name able to do all you have called us/me to do...for everyone, not to everyone.  As we/I bow down, let us/me be raised up to new heights of love for you and for others.  Transform us/me to be all you need us/me to be, Lord, so that we/I may be able to go forth in your fullness, not our/my own, doing all you need us/me to do, Lord.  Lord, we/I love you.  We/I thank you that you have given us/me life on this earth.  Help us/me to be worthy of your love.  Help us/me to trust you more and love you with faith sincere.  Lord, we/I are/am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and we/I shall be healed.  Thank you.  In Jesus name we/I pray.  Amen         

***